Heaven Hill Distillery Announces Release of 2016 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling
Tenth Edition of annual ultra-premium release will feature rare 24-year-old Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon and continued support of ALS research and patient care
BARDSTOWN, KY— Heaven Hill Distillery announces the 2016 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection – a 24-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. The uniqueness of this bottling lies not only in its age, but also in its Bottled-in-Bond designation. Bottled-in-Bonds, as they are referred, have experienced renewed interest by consumers because of the long and storied history behind such a designation. Offering the most Bottled-in-Bond labels of any distiller, Heaven Hill helped to maintain this sub-category during leaner years and, more recently, has fueled interest in it with the launch of several new Bottled-in-Bond bottlings, including the newest edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection. The 24-year-old, Bottled-in-Bond will be shipping into select markets across the country beginning in September.
The Parker’s Heritage Collection series was originally conceived to showcase the extraordinary quality and broad range of Heaven Hill’s American Whiskey holdings, as Heaven Hill boasts the world’s second largest inventory of aging American Whiskey. The annual release is one of the most highly anticipated bottlings for whiskey and Bourbon lovers worldwide, as the collection produces an innovative, coveted product each year.
The 2016 edition, the tenth in the series, features two separate versions of the Bottled-in-Bond product, expected to be the oldest Bottled-in-Bond in the world. It was produced in Fall 1990 and Spring 1991 at Heaven Hill’s distillery in Bardstown, KY, (D.S.P. KY-31), which was later destroyed in 1996 by fire along with seven rickhouses and over 90,000 barrels. The liquid is bottled by season in order to retain its Bottled-in-Bond designation. While Heaven Hill now produces its award-winning Bourbon and American Whiskey out of the Bernheim Distillery in downtown Louisville, this Parker’s Heritage Collection edition will feature the original distillery designation on the back label, making it a worthy successor to the previous nine releases.
Bottled at 100 proof (50% abv) and non-chill filtered, the Bourbon will retain more of the natural esters and fatty acids that have matured in the barrel for almost a quarter of a century, providing a richer mouthfeel. Oak flavor is prominent with hints of cinnamon and vanilla, rounded out by a clean finish with a hint of chocolate.
Heaven Hill Master Distiller Emeritus Parker Beam, for whom the acclaimed series is named, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also called ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) several years ago. The past three editions from 2013-2015, including the “Promise of Hope” Bourbon, the “Original Batch” Straight Wheat Whiskey, and the Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, respectively, have raised over half a million dollars toward ALS research and patient care through contributions made by Heaven Hill for each bottle purchased. Heaven Hill will continue with this cause-related campaign, and will contribute $15 from the average national retail cost of $249.99 of each 750ml bottle sold of this year’s release to the ALS Association. With every past edition of Parker’s Heritage Collection quickly selling out, the company expects to continue to generate significant dollars for this effort.
“We are proud to again offer a unique Bourbon style for the Parker’s Heritage Collection, one that is a nod to Heaven Hill’s expertise with Bottled-in-Bond products,” said Susan Wahl, American Whiskey Group Portfolio Manager at Heaven Hill Distillery. “As the oldest Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon in the world, we anticipate this to be another highly sought after addition to whiskey fanatics’ collections and, as important to us, it will enable a significant contribution to ALS research and patient care efforts.”
Packaged in the same upscale 750ml bottle as the previous nine editions but with a cream colored label, the Parker’s Heritage Collection 24-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey bottling reflects the care and craftsmanship of its contents. Available in a three bottle case, it will be featured on the shelves and back bars of the nation’s finest spirits retailers and on-premise accounts starting in September. With previous releases having won multiple awards from Whisky Advocate magazine, Whisky Magazine and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the rare bottlings stand as some of the most critically lauded American Whiskeys in recent memory. Past bottlings have won awards ranging from “Best North American Whiskey” to “American Whiskey of the Year” to “Best of Show, Brown Spirits.”
Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America’s Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 1.2 million barrels aging in 52 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky and Parker’s Heritage Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the titles of Whisky Magazine’s Distillery of the Year, Whiskey Advocate’s American Whiskey of the Year and Rye Whiskey of the Year from Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
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